Finally, the guardian ad litem offered her report.
Rebecca Snow’s voice was even, almost dry, which somehow made the words more devastating.
“Mrs. Brennan has demonstrated consistent responsive caregiving, accurate medical awareness, stable emotional attachment, and an absence of self-serving motive. Mr. Ashford has demonstrated repeated deception, financial misconduct, and decision-making centered primarily on image preservation. In my professional opinion, the children’s best interests are served by full placement with their maternal grandmother.”
Grant’s attorney made a final attempt.
He argued emotional parenthood. He argued that whatever Grant’s faults, the man had expected to raise these children and had bonded with them after birth. He argued that Dorothy was sixty-one and therefore less suitable for long-term care.
Dorothy almost smiled at that one.
As if age had ever stopped women from carrying more than anyone thought possible.
When it was over, the judge recessed for deliberation.
The two-hour wait in the hallway nearly undid Dorothy more thoroughly than anything else had.